Pretoria - The Western Cape Department of Water Affairs has launched a 2010 and beyond water wise awareness campaign aimed at encouraging the conservation of water in the province.
The campaign is directed at the hospitality industry particularly towards the kick start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The department will target hotels, B & B's and airlines in communicating water wise awareness messages.
During a two-day Indaba hosted by the department in collaboration with the Department of Local Government - Disaster Management Centre and Eden District Municipality, it found that although the winter season has arrived with promises of rains in the Western Cape, the Southern parts of the province remains in the tight grip of a drought said to be the worst in 150 years.
Current trends of drought suggests that it is deepening particularly towards the west in areas of Mosselbay, Riversdale and Heidelberg where no prediction of relief can be made for the next three months said the department.
"Mitigation projects are being implemented in Mosselbay but further focused action is needed in order to ensure sufficient water for communities," the department said in a statement.
Currently, dam levels are: Garden Route Dam 20.6 percent, Wolwedans Dam 23 percent and declining, Korente Poort Dam 29.44 percent and Duiwenhoksdam 32.05 percent.
The Southern Cape has been active in the implementation of its drought management plan, in adopting a mix of approaches ranging from desalination of sea water in Sedgefield, the re-use of effluent, the use of ground water and an ongoing all round successful water awareness campaigns.
The Indaba highlighted that there were still challenges throughout all the affected authorities particularly in relation to the availability and accessibility of funds, poor participation of sector departments as well as miscommunication and public perceptions of drought as well as their roles
